Showing Silkies

[littlecritters]

Yeah that would work. Can I put the red cell in the feed? That is how you give it to horses and it would be easier than the water for me.

sure!

 

[ChicksNherps]

sure!

Thanks for your help! do you have any other show preparation tips you could post for this thread?

 

[heirloomorps]

This is an awesome thread! We have just started showing our silkies and have them on game bird feed at the moment.

 

[Sanna]

I don't know if this is a good or a bad question, but here goes.

How do the birds have to act at the show, when the judge is looking at them? I'm assuming they should be used to handling a little bit so they're not trying to get away? lol
My birds, right now, try to run away when I go to catch them. When I catch them, most of them complain and make noise and try to get away but then settle after awhile. Is it a bad thing if they're doing this when being judged?? Or should they just sit there like good little birds?

 

[ChicksNherps]

I don't know if this is a good or a bad question, but here goes.

How do the birds have to act at the show, when the judge is looking at them? I'm assuming they should be used to handling a little bit so they're not trying to get away? lol
My birds, right now, try to run away when I go to catch them. When I catch them, most of them complain and make noise and try to get away but then settle after awhile. Is it a bad thing if they're doing this when being judged?? Or should they just sit there like good little birds?

They will deduct points for "naughty" birds. You should crate train them for at least a month prior to the show, and get them used to how the judge would handle them. This means you pick them up facing you from under the belly, hold their legs between your fingers snug enough they feel secure but not too tight. Then once they are comfortable with that you can pull out their wings out to "check" them and also try to get them comfortable with being flipped every which way, including upside down. Use their favorite treats as rewards, and make sure you give them some when you go to open the cage door so they come to the front, you want them to automatically come to the front when someone is there.

 

[ChicksNherps]

another question, can I up the dose of red cell to 2 times a week instead of once since the show is in 2 1/2 weeks? I just drizzled a little on their food and shook it up to coat it.

 

[Sanna]

They will deduct points for "naughty" birds. You should crate train them for at least a month prior to the show, and get them used to how the judge would handle them. This means you pick them up facing you from under the belly, hold their legs between your fingers snug enough they feel secure but not too tight. Then once they are comfortable with that you can pull out their wings out to "check" them and also try to get them comfortable with being flipped every which way, including upside down. Use their favorite treats as rewards, and make sure you give them some when you go to open the cage door so they come to the front, you want them to automatically come to the front when someone is there.

Good idea. Thank you.

 

[ChicksNherps]

Practicing our show stance

 

[Sanna]

Practicing our show stance

That's a nice little girl .

Hopefully I can get mine to stand nice and quiet. lol

 

[littlecritters]

Thanks for your help! do you have any other show preparation tips you could post for this thread?

I have to put a disclaimer here, that we haven't been able to show any birds yet. Each time we want to... someone in our family is sick or something gets in the way. Having said that, I have tried to make note of useful articles and will try to attach some here.

On one of the BYC silkie threads, Hawkeye previously posted some good info for show prep and it might be possible for you to do an advanced search to find some of her info. One thing that has been recommended is to bring Oxine and Adams Flea/Tick spray for when you coop in and out. Spray the cage with Oxine (without the activator) and the shavings with Adams, when the shavings are dry, then put the birds in the coop. At the end of the show, spray the birds again with flea/tick.

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Articles.html ---- Conditioning and Prepping for Shows, How to Wash a Chicken for a Show, How to Trim a Chicken's Beak, Making Sense of Cage Card Markings

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/oxine.htm ---- Uses of Oxine

http://posc.tamu.edu/files/2012/08/mp-10661.pdf ---- Conditioning for the Show Room, Put Them in Training (3 steps to coop training), Dressing, etc

http://www.poultrycongress.com/info.html ---- Info for Visitors and New Exhibitors, How to Enter a Show (testing, paperwork etc)

http://www.poultrycongress.com/how_to_read_a_coop_tag.pdf ---- How to Read a Coop Tag...and Sample Entry Form


I don't think is any harm in adding Red Cell 2x weekly. Your blue bird is looking just lovely! I think you are going to have lots of fun at the Poultry Congress.